Melbourne Storm veteran Brett Finch to retire and take up role with Channel Nine

MELBOURNE Storm veteran Brett Finch will retire at the end of the season to take up role with Channel Nine.

MELBOURNE Storm veteran Brett Finch will retire at the end of the season.

The popular five-eighth made the announcement on Channel Nine’s The Footy Show on Thursday night, closing the curtain on an illustrious and colourful 15-year career.

“The time has come for me to enter a new phase of my life,” Finch said.

Brett Finch

“I’ve had a great run and I just know the time is right.

“Rugby league has been very good to me and I feel very lucky to have enjoyed such a long and enjoyable career.”

Finch will enter the media next year after signing a deal with Channel Nine.

But he has also expressed interest in getting into coaching.

NRL Bulldogs v Storm

“It hasn’t been an easy decision but I now have an opportunity to step into the media going forward and will be joining Channel 9 next season,” he said.

“I’ll still be around the game I love and I still hope to be able to get involved with coaching in some way, shape or form.”

Brett Finch

There is not much Finch hasn’t done in the game.

One of the game’s great characters, he has played in grand finals, experienced representative football with New South Wales and also enjoyed a stint playing overseas for Wigan.

Brett Finch

Arguably Finch’s greatest achievement has been playing 50 games for five clubs in Newcastle, Parramatta, Sydney Roosters, Wigan and Melbourne.

“I’ve had some great times,” Finch said.

Brett Finch

“And while all those clubs have been fantastic to me, it’s no secret that Melbourne holds a special place in my heart.”

The long-term injury to Gareth Widdop this year has opened the door for Finch, who will get the chance to finish his career on the highest possible note.

Brett Finch

The 32-year-old, who played in Storm’s 2009 stripped premiership, will be doing everything possible to help Melbourne to back-to-back titles.

“It would be a dream come true to go out a winner, but I’m certainly not getting ahead of myself,” he said.

“There are still three club games to go and then the semi-final series.

“We’re in with a chance but there are three or four other super sides this year and we’re going to have to play well to get the job done.”

Meanwhile, Storm will have little problems filling its vacant assistant coaching position following David Kidwell’s decision to depart the club.

It is believed there has been an influx of interest in the position, which is expected to be filled within the next fortnight.

Kidwell will leave at the season’s end for family reasons, just weeks after Kevin Walters announced his departure for the same reason.

Club development coach Adam O’Brien will replace Walters, but Storm will look outside to replace Kidwell.

Storm will also appoint a new development coach to replace O’Brien.